Moira Williamson believes in spreading smiles and positivity. Because the battle against breast cancer can be a difficult one — physically, mentally and emotionally — Williamson said sometimes it’s nice just to give a stranger a hug and assure them things will be OK. Williamson knows first-hand what that fight is like. In 1997, at the age of 37, she was diagnosed with breast... 12:02pm 10/30/17

While the death rates for colon cancer have declined considerably over the last 20 years, it remains the third-deadliest cancer among both men and women in the United States and a considerable threat overseas. But when discovered and treated early, colon cancer has a five-year survival rate of roughly 90 percent. Upon receiving a colon cancer diagnosis, men and women will be... 12:00pm 10/30/17

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone aged 50 years and older had regular colorectal cancer screenings, at least 60 percent of the deaths from the disease could be avoided. That’s a significant assertion, as colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, while in Canada it is the second leading cancer killer... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Brides — and grooms-to-be aspire to look their absolute best on their wedding day, and that could mean employing an entire arsenal of beauty, grooming and wardrobe personnel for some extra help. Popular goals prior to the wedding include shedding a few pounds or improving muscle tone. Teeth whitening sessions and dance lessons are also popular. Many couples also want to have a... 12:00pm 10/30/17

At the age of 12 to 15, many young women are experiencing the body and life changes that accompany adolescence. It can be difficult to imagine that breasts that are just beginning to develop may contain cancer. But such is the reality for some girls. The majority of women who receive a breast cancer diagnosis are over the age of 40. Experts at Monroe Carell Jr. Hospital at... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Linda Schicker, MD, board certified radiation oncologist at Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine, is a staunch advocate for women and women’s health. That’s why she emphasizes how important it is for women to get annual mammograms and perform self breast exams. As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Schicker will see a patient after a biopsy detects cancer. She will go over a woman’s... 12:00pm 10/30/17

If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of cancer, it is important to remember that help and support are available from the second you receive the news. The American Cancer Society has staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help guide people through this experience — from information to emotional support to helping people access important resources in their... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Doctors have long been urging patients to be aware of changes to their skin, which could be indicative of illness, including skin cancer. When performing self-inspections, some people may discover skin growths that look unsightly or give them pause. Oftentimes these growths are skin tags. A skin tag, also known as a fibroepithelial polyp or acrochordon, is a small, benign... 12:00pm 10/30/17

“Knowledge and awareness.” Those are two key words, Dawn Pfendler of Boonville said, that are essential to keep in mind when first being diagnosed with breast cancer. She said educating herself about the disease and her options for surgery and treatments has helped make decisions that are “right for her.” “Be aware of your diagnosis and know the second opinions are very good... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Individuals react differently to cancer diagnoses. Some are ready to come out swinging against the disease, while others may be angry or forlorn at the news. As varied as the responses to such news can be, the ways that cancer may be treated are numerous, too. Traditional components of cancer treatment include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, though many... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Colorectal cancer is a formidable foe. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Colorectal cancer is similarly lethal in Canada, where the Canadian Cancer Society reports it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and the third leading among women. Some risks for... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Certain cancers are diagnosed far more frequently than others. But cancers that are diagnosed most often are not necessarily the most deadly cancers, nor are they always the most treatable. They simply represent those cancers with the highest prevalence. According to data from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers,... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Lung cancer affects millions of people across the globe. The second most common cancer in both men and women, lung cancer accounts for roughly 13 percent of all new cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. What’s more, lung cancer leads the pack for the most cancer deaths. As deadly as lung cancer can be, men, women and children can take steps to greatly reduce their... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Colorectal (colon/rectal) cancer claims thousands of lives each and every year. Due to its widespread reach and ability to affect both men and women, the public should become educated about the disease. Here’s a look at colorectal cancer by the numbers. 3: Colorectal cancer ranks as the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. 103,170:... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Prostate cancer is a deadly disease that forms in the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system that is found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers), while the National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer can have a substantial impact on a person’s health, affecting how well the body is able to process oxygen. Both can be a serious side effect of smoking, but is there a relationship between cancer and COPD? Various experts, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the Division of Cancer... 12:00pm 10/30/17

New evidence suggests that black women have higher rates of breast cancer at younger ages due to a greater incidence of BRCA gene mutations. BRCA mutations, which made headlines recently when they were linked to actress Angelina Jolie’s decision to get a preventive mastectomy, raise the risk of breast cancer considerably. Research has shown that mutations in one of the BRCA1... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Sunburn can be a painful, unsightly consequence of too much unprotected time spent in the sun. But sunburn is more than just a temporary nuisance. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunburn can cause long-lasting damage to the skin and increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. Sunburn tends to be so common, particularly during the warmer months of the year,... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Family history and race are two significant risk factors for prostate cancer. While the Prostate Cancer Foundation notes that nearly 60 percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65, making age the single greatest risk factor for prostate cancer, men with family histories of the disease and/or those of a certain race must recognize that their... 12:00pm 10/30/17

After surviving breast cancer, many survivors wonder if it’s safe to return to the exercise regimens they followed prior to being diagnosed. Breast cancer survivors can benefit from exercise, but it’s important that they prioritize safety when working out. Survivors who have had breast cancer surgery may be at risk of lymphedema, a condition characterized by swelling of the... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Few, if any, families can say they have never had an experience with cancer. Cancer is a potentially deadly disease with no cure. While cancer can be treated effectively, there is no way for men and women to eliminate their risk of developing cancer. Though cancer may strike even the healthiest of persons, there are ways men, women and even children can reduce their risk. One... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Hops for Hope is back for its sixth year at the Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) Brewery, 2885 Belgium Road in Baldwinsville on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. This event will include an evening of beer sampling, dinner by Bull & Bear Catering, a guided factory tour of the brewing process, live music, and raffles including a chance to win two first class round-trip tickets from... 12:00pm 10/30/17

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer accounts for almost 30 percent of newly diagnosed cancers. In the 1970s, breast cancer lifetime risk was one in 11, the American Cancer Society reports, compared to one ineight today. Part of the reason for the increase, researchers say, is because of a longer life... 12:00pm 10/30/17

According to the National Institutes of Health, sun-protective clothing can protect adults and children from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, exposure to which can cause skin cancer. Sun-protective clothing is typically made with fabrics designed to absorb or reflect ultraviolet, or UV,radiation. Much like sunscreen is rated for its sun-protection factor, or SPF,... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Some individuals with autism may be at a higher risk for developing cancer. That’s due to a gene mutation that may increase a person’s risk of developing cancers of the breast, thyroid and uterus. The gene, known as PTEN, is found in several noninherited cancers and may also appear in the DNA of people with autism spectrum disorder. It is also often discovered in people with... 12:00pm 10/30/17

According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma skin cancer is less common than other types of skin cancer, though it is more likely to grow and spread. Melanoma begins in skin cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes make melanin, a pigment that gives skin its tan or brown color and protects the skin from some of the harmful effects of the sun. The ACS notes that most... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Despite the prevalence of cancer, some information about this potentially deadly disease is not widely known. The following are some facts about cancer that may surprise you. 1. Cancer is officially known as “malignant neoplasm.” 2. Married people or those in steady relationships are more likely to survive cancer, which may be linked to couples’ increased concern and awareness... 12:00pm 10/30/17

If asked to envision cancer, many people may automatically imagine tumors forming throughout the body through the uncontrolled growth of unhealthy cells. While that is a relatively accurate depiction of many types of cancers, leukemia does not fit that bill. Unlike other “solid” cancers that originate in one part of the body, leukemia is often a cancer of the white blood cells... 12:00pm 10/30/17

No one is immune to cancer, a disease so prevalent the World Health Organization estimates it will claim more than eight million lives across the globe in 2015 alone. While even the healthiest man, woman or child can get cancer, there are steps everyone can take to lower their risk of developing the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, reducing your exposure to... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Cancer screenings play an important role in cancer prevention. Screenings may not prevent people from getting cancer, but they can detect the presence of cancer before a person begins to experience any signs or symptoms. Screenings also can help doctors catch cancer before it metastasizes, or spreads, to areas of the body outside the area where it originated. Many women get... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Many people have been touched by breast cancer. Whether you have dealt with your own diagnosis or that of a friend or family member, the prevalence of breast cancer has left few people without a story to tell about a personal experience with this potentially deadly disease. According to Breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to proving reliable, complete and... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Because so much of their time is spent caring for others, women often set their own needs aside. When it comes to their health, however, women need to make it a priority. If something does not look or feel right, it’s time to get it checked. “It is important not to ignore clinical symptoms in the breast,” said John Restivo, MD, radiologist and chairman of Rome Memorial... 12:00pm 10/30/17

In the United States, one in six men can expect to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, while there is a one in seven chance that a Canadian man will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during his lifetime. Those elevated incidence rates could be a byproduct of an aging population, as age is a significant risk factor for prostate cancer. According the Prostate... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Ovarian cancer frequently goes undiagnosed until it has spread to the pelvis and other areas of the abdomen. Recognizing the early symptoms of ovarian cancer can help women get the treatment they need before the disease progresses. Cancers that originate in the cells of the ovary are classified as ovarian cancer. Tumors can occur in the epithelium, or lining cells of the ovary... 12:00pm 10/30/17

Early detection of cancer greatly increases a person’s odds of surviving this potentially deadly disease. Screening can range from relatively simple self-examinations to more complicated procedures conducted by physicians. The following are the widely accepted screening guidelines, courtesy of the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer Women should begin self-examinations of... 12:00pm 10/30/17

One of the more prolific and leading causes of cancer-related deaths among both men and women, lung cancer continues to affect the lives of millions of people each year. The American Lung Association says lung cancer is the most common cancer across the globe, accounting for roughly 1.8 million new cases each year. Although more men than women are diagnosed with lung cancer... 12:00pm 10/25/17

Only recently has a reliable screening process made it easier for physicians to detect the presence of cancer in the lungs. Unlike cancers of the breast and colon, which have long been screened for using mammograms and colonoscopies, respectively, lung cancers had no such screening processes until recently, when the American Society of Clinical Oncologists recommended using... 12:00pm 10/25/17